Public breakups are still a thing - and it's awkward for everyone

"I know, I know, it's Valentine's Day, so who wants to read about breakups? Hear me out. Today isn't just about love; it's about every part of a relationship - the meet-cute, the intoxicating limerence, and even splitting up over soup. Meet the breakup economy. Business Insider's Juliana Kaplan writes about how breaking up in public is still a thing, and many are choosing restaurants, bars, and coffee shops to do the deed."

"Chef Gabrielle Macafee encountered this exact scenario when she worked at a Brooklyn restaurant serving a small tasting menu. After a couple walked in looking "morose," the man stood up and left halfway through the $130 meal. "My teammates and I were like, wait, how do we handle this? He's gone. You can only hold the food for so long," Macafee told BI's Kaplan, who added that the woman still seated paid for both meals. "We offered to send her the rest, but obviously, she just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.""

"If you do find yourself giving the "it's not you, it's me" speech in public, dating coach Julie Nguyen advised picking a neutral spot, such as a park, and avoiding regular haunts you both frequent. "You don't want either of you to feel dread going back, or tie bad memories to a spot they love. A neutral, quiet outdoor setting is the best play," she added."

"Lane Denbro, a former line cook, said that if you're not in total shock at what's happening, be thoughtful of the staff, the servers, and the bartenders. "If you're going through a breakup, make sure to tip well, because the service staff in the back of house, we're going to try to support you however we can," Denbro said."

Public breakups increasingly occur in restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, creating awkward situations for both couples and service staff. Kitchen and waitstaff must make quick decisions about holding, sending, or disposing of unattended dishes when one person abruptly leaves. One chef described a mid-course abandonment during an expensive tasting menu, with the remaining guest eager to leave. Dating coaches recommend neutral, quiet outdoor spots to limit long-term negative associations with frequented venues. Former line cooks urge people ending relationships in public to be mindful of staff and to tip well, since service teams often absorb the fallout.

Read at Business Insider